Rep. Chris Chandler

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, HB 615 (introduced by Rep. Christine Chandler) has no available bill text or substantive details for summary. The bill's title ("Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare") is general and does not specify concrete policy changes. The most recent action (June 3, 2025) states the bill was "postponed indefinitely," indicating it did not advance beyond committee consideration. Without further text or summary, no specific provisions, affected groups, or mechanisms can be described.

Maddy summaryHB 4 updates New Mexico's criminal competency laws to better connect defendants found incompetent to stand trial with mental health treatment. It requires competency evaluation reports to include a professional's opinion on whether a defendant qualifies for involuntary commitment or assisted outpatient treatment, and mandates courts to consider community-based restoration programs for non-dangerous defendants. The bill expands the list of serious crimes that can trigger involuntary treatment decisions (like firearm offenses or child abuse) and allows courts to advise prosecutors to initiate mental health proceedings after dismissing a criminal case. These changes directly affect defendants in criminal cases determined incompetent, aiming to streamline access to treatment while maintaining judicial oversight.

Maddy summaryNew Mexico's SB 34 updates rules to reduce light pollution by requiring most outdoor light fixtures installed after July 1, 2025, to be fully shielded (directing light downward) and limiting fixtures over four feet high emitting more than 1,000 lumens from pointing skyward. It adds exemptions for roadway safety signs on interstates, temporary construction/emergency lights, and film production lighting, while removing previous exemptions for automatic shutoff devices and certain advertising signs. The bill also eliminates a prior exemption for recreational facility lights after 11:00 p.m. (except for specific events) and repeals outdated provisions. These changes directly affect businesses, property owners, construction sites, and municipalities managing outdoor lighting. The law aims to protect night skies by standardizing shielding requirements across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish a New Mexico program providing partial wage replacement for eligible workers taking leave for specific reasons, including bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster placement), caring for a family member with a serious health condition, taking leave for the employee's own serious health condition, military family needs related to a spouse's deployment, or protection from domestic violence. Administered by the Workforce Solutions Department, the program would be funded through a new state leave fund and cover both employees and self-employed individuals who meet eligibility criteria. It sets time limits on leave duration, excludes certain workers (such as those covered by federal railroad laws), and preempts other similar local programs. The bill defines "family member" broadly to include domestic partners and other close relationships, ensuring coverage for diverse household situations.

Maddy summaryHB 614, introduced by Rep. Christine Chandler in New Mexico's 2025 legislative session, is a procedural bill with no substantive policy language provided in the available context. The bill's title references public peace, health, safety, and welfare, but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the submitted text. It was referred to the House Rules and Order of Business Committee but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, with no further action recorded. Without additional bill text or summary details, concrete policy changes cannot be identified.

Maddy summaryHB 530 prohibits the unauthorized distribution of sensitive deepfake images - digitally altered images showing private body parts or intimate acts without consent - and creates new criminal penalties for this act (misdemeanor for first offense, felony for repeat offenses). It also establishes a new civil right for victims to sue for libel, slander, or invasion of privacy related to such images, allowing recovery of actual damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and profits gained by the perpetrator. The bill directly affects individuals whose private images are manipulated and shared without consent, particularly targeting non-consensual deepfakes used for harassment or intimidation. It defines "sensitive deepfake images" as digitally altered depictions of genitals (or women’s breasts below the areola) or intimate acts, and clarifies that consent to create such images does not imply consent to distribute them.

Maddy summarySB 71, the Automatic License Plate Reader Act, establishes rules for how New Mexico law enforcement agencies may use license plate reader technology. The bill permits scanning license plates to compare with criminal justice databases (e.g., for stolen vehicles or active warrants) but requires data deletion after 14 days unless part of an ongoing investigation, court order, or written request from a prosecutor. It mandates strict security measures to prevent unauthorized sharing, prohibits targeting individuals based on protected characteristics like race or religion, and requires annual reporting on system usage including scan volumes and match outcomes. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies and the public whose license plate data is collected under these new privacy and retention rules.

Maddy summaryHB 61 amends New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act to update definitions and increase penalties for deceptive business practices. It explicitly prohibits businesses from offering unadvertised pricing or services based on a buyer's gender or perceived gender identity (excluding insurance companies), and clarifies that "unfair or deceptive trade practice" includes false claims about product features or pricing. The bill doubles the civil penalty for violations from $5,000 to $10,000 per violation, with an additional $25,000 penalty for violations during declared emergencies. These changes directly affect businesses selling goods or services in New Mexico, particularly those using phone sales or engaging in pricing practices.

Maddy summaryHB 283 requires anyone requesting law enforcement records to certify they won’t use the records to contact victims of crimes or accidents. It defines "commercial purpose" (including selling or profiting from records) and exempts news media, legal proceedings, and public information outlets from commercial fees. Public bodies must provide fee estimates for commercial requests and allow 15 days to fix violations before enforcement actions can proceed, with all enforcement limited to two years after a violation notice. The bill directly affects researchers, data brokers, and others seeking law enforcement records, while protecting victims from unsolicited contact.

Maddy summaryHB 290, the Vibrant Communities Act, creates a state program to provide public funding (grants or leases) to 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(12 nonprofits for community projects addressing public health, safety, or welfare. Qualifying nonprofits must apply annually, detailing how projects align with local priorities and demonstrating community need. The Department of Finance and Administration administers the program, requiring contracts that include compliance with laws, ongoing reporting, and provisions for recapturing funds if projects fail to meet public purpose goals. This legislation directly affects nonprofits serving community needs and requires legislative approval for each funded project.